Kickstart Me, Baby!

From one project to the next, that's how I like to do things.  In preparation for Lauren and my next Grand Adventure around Ireland's Dingle Peninsula, we are running a Kickstarter project!!

I heard a few of you in the back mumble, "What the hell is she talking about?"  Well, let me clarify things.

Kickstarter is an online, creative way to raise funds for all types of projects.  Everything from books to video games to music and art are brought to life through the financial support of people around the world.  Since its launch in 2009,4.7 million people have raised over $760 million dollars for all sorts of artistic projects.

How does it work?  People like us come up with an idea.  They describe it and establish a funding goal with a deadline.  People can decide to pledge any amount of money, from $1 to every cent they own, in return for rewards.  No money changes hands unless the funding goal is reached.  It's a risk, but worthy projects often exceed their funding goal.

Lauren and I have decided to launch a Kickstarter project for our Irish Adventure through the Dingleberry Forest (The Dingle Way).  Our goal is raise $3,500 in thirty days.  Ultimately, we will produce a hard cover book that chronicles our journey, full of color photos of the landscape, it's people and the cuisine.  The money we raise will be used to upgrade our camera equipment, publish and print the book and fund a small portion of the costs of travel.  The bulk of the funds will be used for production costs.

We're working to create rewards that will make people want to back this project.  Some of them include (for a pledge of $10) a postcard mailed from somewhere along the way, collectible souvenirs ($15) an 11x14 glossy photo of a either a castle or a seaside view made from a photo taken during our walk ($30) and so on.  We've tried to offer something for every budget, from $10 to a well over one hundred for those of you who can afford to support "the arts".

The bottom line is that we want to produce a beautiful compilation of photos to accompany the story of our first foray into my homeland.  We hope to build a successful Kickstarter project so we can share our adventure with you.